These days, I traveled to Chile and Argentina. I have talked before about how wonderful it is to go to Latin America. However, I am not going to talk about the advantages of visiting new places. This article is about my experience of living without plastic bags.
Before I start, I must say I am a plastic bag addict. I need them. I use them for my shopping, to save my Tupperware with my lunch inside, throw away the garbage, to save some meat freeze, for my dirty cloth when I am traveling, to keep liquids safe inside my suitcase, and much more.
I know it is terrible; I know we need to stop using and making plastic bags. A few years ago, Chile and Argentina banned plastic bags for commercial use. They have been living without a plastic bag for a while, and they seem happy and normal.
I want to share with you the five lessons I learned living without plastic bags.
1. Going to shop with your bags is a must.
It sounds silly, but I forgot my bag all the times I went to the shop. My friends have a lot of shopping bags, and they keep one with them all the time. Also, you realize how many times you need a plastic bag, and you do not think about it, such as, pharmacy, dollar store, bakery, or a restaurant when you ask your food to go.
2. It is normal to see people with a product in their hands.
It is easy to see people on the streets or the subway to have in one hand a medicine and the other a chips sauce. When people forget their bags, they walk with their products with no problem. I think the best idea in these cases it is to have a big purse.
3. People seem to be having a normal life.
In three weeks, I did not see any person complaining about the ban on plastic bags. For example, in Chile, this ban has less than a year. I saw people acting like they never used plastic bags before. I think if the federal or local government implement a similar ban, we can handle it.
4. It was weird.
Maybe, because I was traveling, and not at my home, it was weird not to have access to plastic bags. When I travel, I use them for dirty clothes, liquids, food. When your life is only in two suitcases, plastic bags are helpful.
5. I have a question.
I understand we need to reduce the number of plastic bags as soon as possible because they pollute our water and lands. However, I do not get what it is the solution for throwing away our garbage. We still need plastic bags for that. If there is an option, you can tell me.
In any case, I am glad to have watched how big countries have accustomed to living without plastic bags. I think we can do the same with plastic cups, straws, and plastic in general. The truth is we must change our way to relate to the planet because we do not have too much time to save the Earth.
